Browse Tag: HTC 8X

Since the Windows 8 mobile operating platform was launched late last year one smartphone manufacturer has been enjoying more success than most. HTC currently offer two models running this great software , the HTC 8X and 8S, and now new reports are suggesting that the Taiwanese company are set to introduce a third model in their range.

Latest reports suggesting that a new model named the HTC Tiara is currently in development. According to these reports this will be the first phone to be released boasting the full second version of the Windows OS software. In January we saw the first update named “Portica” arrive and at this moment in time the second version has not been given a code name but we do know that the Tiara will be the first model released with this version included. This latest news has come courtesy of Wired View who report that sources claim the new model will join the HTC 8X and 8S models and sit somewhere between these two handsets in terms of specification.

In terms of specification the new HTC Tiara is set to be on a par with another smartphone produced by the company, the HTC One SV Android device. Performance speeds should be impressive thanks to a dual core 1.2Ghz Snapdragon processor while the large 4.3 inch Super LCD2 display will boast a WVGA resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Other features on the phone are set to include 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a high quality 8 mega pixel primary camera facility. We are expecting to see the new HTC Tiara rolled out in May this year where it will join the HTC 8X and HTC 8S as part of the best range of Windows devices available.

HTC will be hoping that the new Tiara handset can replicate the success that their other smartphones that run on this platform, the HTC 8X and 8S, are currently enjoying. We will bring you more news on this exciting new phone as we receive it.

Ever since the middle of last year we were waiting for the long awaited range of Windows 8 smartphones to arrive and in early November we saw the introduction of several models including the HTC 8X. Early reports have suggested that these devices have proved more successful than anticipated and now the CEO of Microsoft has given us an idea about how the platform has performed over the traditionally busy festive period.

Steve Ballmer is the CEO of Microsoft and at the end of last year he stated that sales of Windows 8 devices during November were four times higher than what was recorded for the same period in 2011. Mr Ballmer has once again commented on the performance of such devices, this time relating to sales throughout December. Speaking at a Qualcomm press conference he took to the stage to announce that performance during the final month of the year was five times better than December 2011. No official figures are currently available to back up these claims but we can look at 2011 sales and work out roughly the number of handsets that have been sold. In the final quarter of 2011 a total of 2.5 million Windows devices like the HTC 8X were sold. If Mr Ballmer’s figures are correct that means we could be looking at a figure upwards of 10 million this time around. If this proves correct executives at Microsoft will be delighted by the news.

One reason why the Windows 8 platform is proving more popular than previous version is down to the fact that a number of great devices have been released that support the OS. The HTC 8X is the flagship model for the software and is featured in numerous advertisements for the platform. A mid range alternative is also available from HTC in the form of the 8S device. Another company who produce a great line up of Windows phones are Nokia. The Nokia Lumia 920 is at the head of their range and seems to be the most popular handset with consumers at the moment. A mid range alternative is offered in the form of the Lumia 820 while a 620 entry level model is set to arrive this month. Samsung have also introduced their first ever Windows phone is the shape of the new Ativ S.

Windows 8 has enjoyed some great success since its introduction and this is down to a super range of devices including the HTC 8X. If sales continue to increase we may see a number of other phone manufacturers produce models working on this excellent platform.

The HTC 8X is one of the most popular Windows 8 phones on the market and one of the best applications available for this handset is the superb Skype software. Users of this service can now take advantage of a new Skype update but although some new features are introduced one key area of Windows functionality is now missing.

Anybody downloading the latest Skype update for Windows device will notice that the service no longer integrates with the People Hub that is a key part of the Windows interface. As far as users are concerned this means that Skype details of friends and acquaintances can no longer be viewed form the People Hub. Apparently this area of functionality has been removed due to stability issues and developers of the software have recently stated “We are working with the Windows Phone team to resolve the issue and to enable the integration again in a future release”. When Windows 8 was first introduced Skype’s interaction with the People Hub was heavily highlighted in marketing campaigns so this latest news will come as a major blow to Microsoft.

People Hub compatibly may be missing form the latest version of Skype but the new update does deliver some nice improvements that are sure to delight users of handsets such as the HTC 8X. The service is becoming popular as a means of sending quick text messages and the improvements introduced to the virtual keyboard really help in this area. This keyboard now includes both auto correct and complete functions which should speed up the process of composing a message considerably. Various bugs are also fixed by the new update while some slight changes are made to the pop up notifications system used by the service. The HTC 8X along with the HTC 8S have both proved popular handsets since their introduction and have proved a major boost to HTC who have been struggling somewhat with sales of Android devices.

The new HTC 8X Skype update is available now and although People Hub integration is removed this is likely to appear again on a later update

Windows 8 has been a big success since its introduction back in early November and a big factor behind the popularity of this service is the excellent range of mobile handsets that were released to coincide with its launch. The HTC 8X is officially the flagship handset for the operating system and users of this model can now take advantage of a new update that delivers some key changes.
Owners of HTC 8X devices can now update their phones with the latest Portica update which install the latest version of the popular operating system onto their handset. A number of minor changes are present as part of this update but one that will benefit a number of users is the ability to have WiFi connectivity permanently activated. For some unknown reason this facility has never been available on the 8X until now where as the more mid range HTC 8S device has always had the option. Some changes have also happened to messaging facilities and users can now select individual texts that they want to delete. An option is also introduced to send text notifications when rejecting incoming calls and draft messages can now be saved once they have been composed.

The first market to get their hands on the latest Portica update for the HTC 8X is the UK and it looks as though a number of other countries are set to follow close behind. In terms of file size this one is relatively small for an update and when downloading via the over the air method the whole process takes just ten minutes. One issue with Portica that is still unclear is whether the update is for unlocked devices or whether it can be accessed by phones locked to specific networks. When Windows 8 was first unveiled it was believed that updates such as this would be delivered directly from Microsoft which would avoid approval being needed by the phone manufacturers but if contracted devices are excluded at the moment it would suggest that the update is not being delivered via this method.

The HTC 8X impressed us from the day of its launch and the new Portica update further enhances the functionality of this super handset. Other great Windows 8 phones are also available including the Nokia Lumia 920

Once again we have seen Samsung and Apple dominate the smartphone market throughout 2012 which has resulted in a number of other rival manufacturers struggling to make sales and meet targets. One such company is HTC but latest reports have revealed that during November their decline in sales was halted which is thanks to the launch of a number of high profile phones including the HTC 8X.

Up until November HTC had endured four successive months of declining sales figures but this dramatic slide was halted and it is no coincidence that it was around the same as they launched their first ever Windows phones, the HTC 8X and 8S. These two new phones received critical acclaim from industry experts but a new addition to the Android range also contributed towards the improved sales. The HTC One X+ is the companies new flagship Android phone and has also enjoyed buoyant sales over the past few weeks. Towards the end of the month the US market saw the introduction of the new Droid DNA which is also set to have a positive effect on sales but its launch was to late into the month to have a bearing on the latest figures.

The HTC 8X is the premium Windows device in HTC’s range and the model has also been named as the flagship phone for the Windows 8 operating system, an accolade that means the phone will get plenty of exposure from advertising campaigns and marketing. This level of exposure is a key factor behind the popularity of this model despite it facing stiff competition from rival handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 920. The phone offers some excellent specification including a powerful dual core processor clocked at 1.5Gzh which enables the phone to operate at lightning fast speeds. The screen on the handset measures 4.3 inches and boasts a high resolution of 720 x 1280 which ensures all material that is viewed looks crystal clear and detailed.

The launch of the HTC 8X is one of the main reasons why HTC’s slump in sales has halted and things are looking good for the next month thanks to other new handsets such as the Droid DNA.